Mark DeCarli to be new Greencastle-Antrim head softball coach

GREENCASTLE — The Greencastle-Antrim varsity softball program has been a model of consistency for the better part of a decade under the leadership of Jamie Richardson.

Come this spring, the torch will be passed to Mark DeCarli.

With Richardson's 10-year tenure as head coach coming to an end following his recent resignation, DeCarli has received the recommendation of G-AHS principal Ed Rife and athletic director Vicki Ritchey to fill the vacancy.

By this time next week, pending the approval of the school board, the move is expected to become official.

"Mr. Rife and Mrs. Ritchey handled the interview process and informed me that I was the guy for the job," DeCarli said. "It's a great opportunity and I'm really looking forward to it."

Now in his 14th year of teaching at G-A, DeCarli also spent the past 13 years serving as the school district's athletic technician before transitioning to coaching at the high school level this winter.

Currently, DeCarli is in his first season at the helm of the boys junior varsity basketball team, getting his feet wet before assuming his newly appointed role this spring.

"I coached softball at the junior college level back in the early 90's and I recently got back into it coaching my daughter's rec ball and travel teams," DeCarli, 41, explained. "I wanted to pursue coaching at the varsity level, and once I heard about Jamie's resignation, I applied for the position. It's going to be a challenge, but I'm fortunate to be taking over a great program with a winning tradition already in place."

Under Richardson, the Blue Devils won the 2009 PIAA championship while qualifying for states four out of the last five years. Richardson also led G-A to seven Mid-Penn divisional titles and a pair of District 3 crowns.

Needless to say, the bar has been set pretty high.

"I'm excited for the opportunity to work with the girls that I know are returning and the ones that will be coming up," DeCarli said. "I'm hoping to continue challenging for division and district titles with the ultimate goal of leading this program to another state championship."

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